ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend recently got a dog, but she and her family travel a lot, so they need to find care for the dog when they leave. I have been friends with her for more than 20 years and love animals, so I have been watching her dog. However, she doesn't ever pay me for doing this. Sometimes they are away for three weeks or more, and I ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am retired and have millions of dollars. Trust me.

We tell people who are coming for dinner: DO NOT BRING ANYTHING. In fact, I have a memo that makes it incredibly clear that this is exactly what we mean. But some a-holes bring something anyway. The response from me is very unpleasant, and then my husband gets all ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I host Easter brunch every year for both sides of the family -- about 16 people total. I cook a big frittata, a glazed ham, homemade rolls and a salad or two.

My problem is my sister-in-law, "Brenda." For the past four years, she has signed up to bring dessert. And every year, she arrives with the exact same thing: ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have a situation with this guy I've known for five years. We dated in the summer of sixth grade, but it wasn't serious, and we broke up after a month. But we always kept in touch and had secret feelings for each other.

We have never done anything more than talk and haven't dated since. We both get mad or awkward when the other one ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I was younger, I developed a strange habit of picking at the back of my hair. I did it so much that my hair thinned almost completely on the back of my head. I ended up getting a pixie cut to mask the hair loss. The beauty hack worked perfectly -- for a while, anyway.

As an adult, my bad habit has returned, but now I tend ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My (newly married) last name looks an awful lot like a certain four-letter word. It's rarely used in English, but common in its native language.

When someone new reads my name, whether on a name tag or on a screen, I notice a look of consternation in their eyes as they attempt to decipher the pronunciation without being crass...Read more

Dear Annie: My otherwise extremely well-mannered husband, "Ted," has developed an unspeakably disgusting habit, and I need help addressing it.

The backstory: About a year ago, there was an accident involving Ted, his brother and a couple of our nephews, which resulted in Ted losing five visible teeth. Our dentist removed the broken teeth and ...Read more

A singleness equated with isolation is as doomed to failure as a marriage expected to bring unending bliss; either way, a life can be no more (or less) than the sum of your choices. That said, I'm going to interest you in forming a support group of specialists. The services they can put into your life will be one of the prime ways you give ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom has gotten into burning incense lately, and whenever I bring my 10-year-old daughter over, she has an allergic reaction to it. She starts coughing and sneezing and has even gotten rashes from it. I've asked my mom not to burn it on days when she watches my daughter after she gets out of school, but she says no because it ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When visiting my home, friends and relatives sit down and immediately put their feet on the sofa, even though I have a leather hassock for resting their feet sitting directly in front of the sofa.

I recently purchased a new sofa in a dark blue fabric, as I did not want to spot-clean after visits. Other chairs are covered in a...Read more

Dear Annie: My spouse and I chose to raise our kids in a neighborhood with excellent schools and a strong sense of community. The downside is that it's also a very affluent area, and many of the families around us are far wealthier than we are. We work hard and live comfortably enough, but we can't provide the kinds of luxuries that some of ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was asked to be my friend's maid of honor, and I said no. For context, I said no because I had a baby five months ago and I'm recovering and getting used to now having three young children. I have had little energy to do much of anything. The last thing I need to add to my plate is being heavily involved in a wedding. This ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I was growing up, my mother was adamant that I learn proper manners, especially at the dinner table. Bad table manners were my mother's pet peeve, and they became mine, as well.

I have a hard time understanding why other people were not taught this growing up. Am I just old-school, and manners are outdated now? Even ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to my husband for six years, and for the most part we have a happy, peaceful life together. The one area where things feel complicated is with my in-laws.

My husband is very close to his parents, which is something I truly admire about him. They raised a kind, thoughtful son, and I know family means a lot to them...Read more